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MacBook Air M4

apple.com

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Re: MacBook Air M4

#471

Post by ddingus »

guhidalg wrote: post #442
buildfocus wrote: post #437

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is the performance gap so huge? Power efficiency yes, absolutely, but for peak performance last I saw the last AMD vs M3 benchmarks were a slightly slower single core, and a little faster in multicore. Doesn't seem as world changing as described.

Yes. No other laptop can sustain peak performance as long as the M-series Macs. The only thing that competes is a dedicated desktop with a big cooler and fan. Mac laptops feel faster, even if the synthetic benchmarks say otherwise.

I think this has a whole lot to do with the memory throughput, as well as great efficiency.

My M1 still holds right up! It is the smallest RAM model, and even that is not the end of things.

Re: MacBook Air M4

#473

Post by hnlmorg »

guhidalg wrote: post #442
buildfocus wrote: post #437

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is the performance gap so huge? Power efficiency yes, absolutely, but for peak performance last I saw the last AMD vs M3 benchmarks were a slightly slower single core, and a little faster in multicore. Doesn't seem as world changing as described.

Yes. No other laptop can sustain peak performance as long as the M-series Macs. The only thing that competes is a dedicated desktop with a big cooler and fan. Mac laptops feel faster, even if the synthetic benchmarks say otherwise.

I don’t agree. Compile times are definitely and very noticeably quicker on my Intel gaming laptop (that’s actually a few years old now) vs my M3 MBP.

That said, I’ve never once felt that the M3 MBPs are sluggish. They are definitely super quick machines. And the fact that I can go a full day without charging even when using moderately heavy workloads is truly jaw droppingly impressive.

I’d definitely take the power performance over that small little extra saved in compile times any day of the week. So Apple have made some really smart judgements there.

Re: MacBook Air M4

#474

Post by ivangelion »

intrasight wrote: post #415
cosmic_cheese wrote: post #334

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The main problem with the Framework 13 at this point is underwhelming battery life. I have one of the newly announced models reserved in hopes that the new CPU improves that to a reasonable degree, but if reviews come out and that turns out to not be the case there’s a substantial chance I’ll cancel.

I honestly don't understand battery complaints. Cafes have plugs. Airplanes have plugs. Were are people working for hours without power?

Not all airplanes have plugs and at cafe's people tend to prioritize seating near the precious outlets. Its a small thing but having to pack up or go home when you are in the zone is a hassle I will pay a little extra to avoid.

Re: MacBook Air M4

#475

Post by bloqs »

tasuki wrote: post #401
giancarlostoro wrote: post #315

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you don't travel from your house with it I understand your confusion, the weight is a factor when traveling. I never have back pain, but when I do, its because I'm carrying a heavy laptop around on my back.

> I never have back pain, but when I do, its because I'm carrying a heavy laptop around on my back. Just how heavy is your laptop? You need a better backpack I think? I regularly carry 10kg of groceries in my backpack over two kilometers. It never gave me any back pain.

Age my friend. Age.

Re: MacBook Air M4

#476

Post by bhouston »

I absolutely love my MacBook Air M3 15”. Of course I’d love it to be faster but I’ll probably upgrade to an M5 or M6 at this point as the marginal improvement isn’t sufficient to warrant upgrading this soon after purchase.

Re: MacBook Air M4

#477

Post by dsego »

mcgrath_sh wrote: post #223
carlosjobim wrote: post #219

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The purpose of a professional machine is that it pays for itself when you make money using it. If that's not your case, then why do you need professional equipment?

I don't think 1TB of storage makes something professional equipment. I have well over 500 GB of photos. I want each of those stored locally where I control the data. Nor do I think 32 GB of RAM makes something professional. I'd prefer to future proof such a large purchase, and because I can't even go back to Apple in 3 years and purchase more RAM I have to decide right now what might be useful in 5-7 years.

You can always use portable drives, cloud, or a NAS to store photos. In either case you need a backup, storing everything on one laptop is a bit limiting.

Re: MacBook Air M4

#478

Post by forty »

meindnoch wrote: post #313
brk wrote: post #265

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've never really felt this way, and have used all kinds of screens of various resolutions, sizes, technologies, etc. For 99% of the typical use cases (chats, email, doom scrolling, etc.) there just is not a big enough perceptible difference for most buyers. Screen refresh rate arguments are starting to have hints of audiophile discussions.

Going 60hz → 120hz: "Meh, I guess it's smoother? Whatever..." Going 120hz → 60hz: "WTF? Why is it so choppy? Am I accidentally in low battery mode?" It's similar to going back to non-retina displays after getting used to retina resolution.

The good news is that human brain is amazing and will probably revert to reasonable perception if you use your non retina 60Hz screen for long enough :)

Re: MacBook Air M4

#479

Post by Aeolun »

cgio wrote: post #418
ruuda wrote: post #384

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’ve been browsing the Lenovo (and others’) website for weeks, and the only two laptops it shows with 2TB storage and 4k display are the ThinkPad P1 and P16s. The ThinkPad X1 and Framework 13 have a much lower resolution display. Also, I appreciate Framework’s mission, but it’s not the build quality that I’m looking for.

There should be no questioning on matters of personal taste, but I will offer my experience with the 13 FW, which is that build quality is pretty great already, but also you get the option to maintain it longer term, such as changing hinges etc. which gives confidence on longevity. I also have a Macbook M1, and I have found myself reaching for the framework almost exclusively now. It feels great to work on a machine…

> It feels great to work on a machine that you feel like you own a bit more than any other.

This is a thing right? You come back to your computer, and it’s exactly as you left it. It didn’t try to magically reboot because of overnight updates, it didn’t prevent you from starting a program because it phoned home to the mothership and it told them that particular dev hasn’t forked over their $100 yet. It’ll tell you there are updates and ask if you want to install them.

It’s such a relief to work on something not windows or mac in so many ways.

Re: MacBook Air M4

#480

Post by hnuser123456 »

mvanbaak wrote: post #423
hnuser123456 wrote: post #303

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I flatly will not buy any monitor, laptop, phone, tablet, or TV with a refresh rate below 120hz. I had 120hz 1080p over DVI-dual link in 2010. I can accept graphically demanding games going down to ~50 fps, but for UI interactivity and navigation, I'll take 120hz+ only.

And there you are, watching a movie on that 120p+ tv. You do k ow the movie is only 24p right?

I also (hopefully) don't have to interact with any UI while the movie is playing, but if I did, I'd want that UI running at 120hz. Maybe TV streamers will start advertising 120hz output soon. Maybe I should just replace my streamer with a spare PC that can output 120.
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